Business

The holiday shopping season is fast approaching, and for many small businesses, what they bring in during this time of year can help decide if they are a financial success or not. Many people understand this, and they want to support their local businesses, but wonder about what they can really do, especially in times when their own economic situation may not allow for too much discretionary spending.

Don’t worry. Even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend, there are still ways that you can help support a local small business and help them keep their doors open for a brighter future.

Small Business Helper Tip #1: Share on Social Media

While you might not have enough discretionary spending to buy that handmade teddy bear in the window, chances are a friend on social media might. When you see something from your local business that you know your friend will love, don’t be afraid to hit the share button or send an email to your friend about it. Not only will you be helping your friend find a great gift, but you’ll also be helping the business find another potential customer.

Small Business Helper Tip #2: Help Make Business Resources More Available — and Known About

Often one of the biggest struggles for small businesses is the lack of resources from their community. The real tragedy is that often the resources are there — just not readily known about. When you have the opportunity, see about talking with your town or local community about developing the resources that the small businesses may need. Things such as low-cost accounting or tax services, free or reduced on-street parking or even low-cost advertisements in websites or newspapers can go a long way to help a local shop reach the customers that they need. Plus it’s a fantastic way to help build a stronger community.

Small Business Helper Tip # 3: Make Introductions and Connections

As any small business owner will tell you, in order to make a sale, you need to make a connection. In order to do that, a potential customer or client needs to know about you, and they need to contact your business. As a friend or a potential customer, you can help a small business do just that, simply by taking the time to make an introduction or two. Know about a new nail salon, and feel like giving it a try? Why not gather together a few friends from church and arrange for a nail-painting party? If you contact the salon ahead of time, they may be willing to give you a discount for bringing in so many customers. Who knows? It doesn’t hurt to ask!

Small Business Helper Tip # 4: Make a Purchase — Even a Small One — With a Smile

So many people choose to walk by a local business and not give them a chance because they are afraid of being disappointed, or worse. But in reality, what do you have to lose by opening the door to your local shop and taking a look around? Or even in buying a small little thing, or enjoying a slice of apple pie at the local diner? The truth is, not that much. You may waste a few dollars, or have a piece of a pie that doesn’t quite meet your grandmother’s standards.

But trust me when I say this. Your smile, the few dollars you plunk down on the counter and the small bit of conversation that you have with the business owner means the world to them. You see, so many small business owners start with a vision and a dream, and they fight every day — sometimes alone — to make that dream come true. Every day they get up, start again, and never give in, even when everything and everyone around them is telling them to just give up. Your purchase, however small, can be just the encouragement they need to help them to continue to fight for their dreams.

So what other ways will you try and support the local businesses in your area?

So you’ve decided to make a go of it and follow your dream of operating your own small business. Congratulations! You’ve got quite an adventure ahead of you — one filled with long days, frustrating lows, lots of paperwork, exhilarating highs and quite a few evenings when you can sit back and say “Yes — this is what life is all about.” Owning your own business is not for the faint of heart, but nearly every entrepreneur that I know will tell you that it is absolutely worth it.

However, many people who are starting their own business, and even those who are veterans at the game make a very simple, but very costly mistake. They make the mistake of doing work without a contract. There are quite a few reasons for this occurring, of course. You want to trust people. There is so much legalese in those things — they can sound pretty complicated and scary! Some people even believe that they can scare away potential customers.

The truth is, though, that working under contract — whether you’re selling homemade stuffed animals or creating web content for a website — is essential to running a successful business. Here are a few of the reasons why using contracts in your smart business is a smart decision.

Reason #1: Protection

One of the essential reasons to work with a contract is for protection. Legally speaking, a contract is nothing more than a detailed agreement between two independent parties that is legally enforceable, where one party receives compensation in some fashion for either a service or product that is provided to the other party. That’s it. As a business owner, working under a contract provides you with a way to make sure that you are compensated and treated fairly. On the flip side, it also offers protection to your client, providing a way for them to have their grievances addressed.

Working without a contract means that you and your client have very few legal or in some cases no legal recourse when something goes wrong. Is that a chance you want to take?

Reason #2: Clarification

Let’s face it; people make mistakes and misunderstandings can happen every day. A contract, which details what services or products are being offered, as well as the compensation that is expected, lessens the chance of those misunderstandings and mistakes ruining an otherwise potentially good business relationship.

Reason #3: Professionalism

Getting into the habit of working with a contract also indicates to your potential and current clients that you take your business, and them, seriously. It indicates that you not only want to be in the game for the long haul, but that you also value them as customers and wish to look out for their best interests if you can. That kind of dedication to the business and your customers also provides another reason why working with a contract is a good idea.

Reason #4: Referral Marketing

Believe it or not, working under a contract is not only the professional thing to do, but it is also a great way to increase your business through personal referrals.

Let’s say for the sake of argument that you wanted to get your roof fixed. You ask your friends or co-workers for recommendations. One friend tells you that they know someone who in turn knows someone who can do the job at an astronomically low price, provided that you pay in cash and don’t ask too many questions. Another friend gives you the name and number of another company and lets you take a look at the contract they signed with the roofer. Everything looks very professional and aboveboard, and the prices seem pretty reasonable as well. Provided that you could afford the cost in both cases, wouldn’t you want to go with the second choice? Why? Well, one of the reasons is because of the professional attitude of the roofer, and the other would be the satisfaction of your friend. Without that contract, chances are that this level of satisfaction may not have been reached. Without that satisfaction, your friend may not have suggested that roofing company.

The same thing — getting a satisfied customer to make a recommendation to a friend — can happen for you and your business. And just like that roofer, you’re more likely to have a satisfied customer if you provide your client with exactly what they need, which was spelled out in a contract.

What other reasons do you have for using a contract in your business dealings?

In some ways, it is the American dream. Being your own boss, making your own rules. Working directly with the customer and client, and making sure that they are satisfied and happy with the result. There are so many benefits to owning your own business, and for many who have decided to take that path, there really is no regret. However, there are struggles, and there are uncertainties. Before you take that first step to discovering your own business, be it a local diner or a web-based marketing service, here are a few things to consider.

Taxes Will Be Different

While it will seem like you’re making more money for yourself, it’s good to remember that you no longer have a boss taking out money for social security and taxes out of your weekly paycheck. That is your responsibility now. Depending on where you live, you might be required to make quarterly estimated payments — every three months — to the Internal Revenue Service or face some serious fines when it comes to tax season, in addition to the lump sum of what you owe. Some businesses make those quarterly payments on time while others wait until April to make one lump sum, penalties and all. Whichever method you choose, make sure you talk with a professional and certified accountant to make sure your finances stay in order.

Your Life is About to Become More Chaotic — Be Prepared

Believe it or not, the real ruler of a business in the beginning is chaos. While you may think that you have everything planned out and accounted for, within the first few years there will be changes. There are simply too many variables involved with life and your business that most people don’t even consider. Things such as variable customer flow, the weather, getting sick, new building expenses, a leaking roof or a baseball through your front store window are all things that a new business owner has to learn to manage. It can be confusing, frustrating and exhilarating all at once.

So what can you do? Well, while you can’t wait forever to start a business, taking a little bit of time to try to save up a few months of living expenses is a good idea. Another option is to get a small loan for your business, apply for grants or find investors. The important thing is to create at least a small financial cushion for yourself so that you can keep the lights on.

Also, remember that your schedule and your daily life will also become more chaotic. So be sure to schedule in time to take care of yourself and those around you. And don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed.

Clients and Customers Won’t Fall From the Sky

While your new business venture is undoubtedly a wonderful and exciting idea, one that fills a unique need in your community, your potential customers won’t come to you out of the blue. The simple fact is that you, as a business owner, will probably spend about 60{5b6c00ae8a31f44c65b344f315968efbd322bfc6ea45e4e8cca9716c4473fad8} of your time on marketing and promotion. In other words, in order to get the customers in the door, you have to hustle and work to get them there. However, there is a fine line between being a sales representative and being a pest.

So what can you do? Well, in the end, the best way to get customers is to build a relationship with them. That means spending time getting to know them, talking with them and engaging with their world to help build up their trust in you and your business. That takes time. So, consider delegating or using various tools to handle the other aspects of marketing, such as flyers, advertisements or even some aspects of social media so that you can concentrate on the personal touch. Remember — don’t work harder, work smarter.

There Will Be Legal and Financial Questions to Answer

So you are starting a business. Have you decided if you’re going to incorporate or not? What about its legal name? Are you going to have employees or make use of independent contractors? In what state and county are you going to register the business? Are you going to eventually have multiple locations? How are you going to supply health insurance and workers’ compensation for your employees? Will it be a brick-and-mortar store, or be entirely online?

These are just a few of the many legal and financial questions that need to be asked before you even start thinking about opening your doors. This is the reason why many businesses that succeed start with more than just someone’s hunger to be their own boss and a dream. They start with a business plan. So while you’re thinking about ways to open up your own bakery, you should really think about talking with an attorney and an accountant who specializes with small businesses, or using your local resources for entrepreneurs in your community or state to help you create a plan that addresses these important questions.

Starting your own business isn’t for the faint of heart. It will be a struggle at times, but honestly if you have the hunger and the drive to get it done, it can be one of the most fulfilling things that you can do.

Any other advice you would add to what I’ve said here? Please comment below!

Let’s face it- there are a lot of different ways that you can make the most of your online marketing efforts. There are blog posts, posts to Twitter, Facebook fan pages, Google+ and, of course, your own website. It can make a person’s head spin.

So what’s the best way to organize all your online marketing efforts in a way that is both efficient and effective? Below are some practical ways to make sure your online marketing is accomplished in a way that will make the most of your time, and bring the highest return on your investment.

Tip #1: Document Everything!

I know it’s hard to hear, but there will be times that you will forget things — important things, such as a client’s contact email, your password for a particular social media site or even when you planned to post your series on the pros and cons of leasing a car. It pays, therefore, to take the time now and document everything you can. Make a vision board, a list, a computer file, even write things down in a trusty notebook. If you do this, you’ll have a ready reference for you to go to when your memory gets a little bit hazy. Trust me, that can save you so much time and effort in the long run! Plus, if you ever have to step away from your business marketing for a time, your co-workers or partners will be able to pick up the slack quite easily due to your early efforts.

Tip #2: Don’t be Afraid to Schedule

Another tip that has worked wonders for me is the idea of scheduling my posts — and not just with the various scheduling apps for Twitter or other social media such as Buffer or Hootsuite. No, I’m actually talking about sitting down at the beginning of the month and figuring out when and on what subjects you are going to create content about for that month. Don’t want to think that far ahead? Then try it for this upcoming week. Taking a half hour out of your day to decide what you are going to share and when can do wonders for lowering your stress levels and promoting creativity. Personally I make use of an email desktop calendar system to stay on top of things.

Tip #3: Make Use of Monitoring Tools

When it comes to content management, in addition to quality, having relevancy to your target audience is also vital. Thankfully, there are a number of different, easy-to-use tools that are available on the internet to help you keep track of what holds your target audience’s interest. Things like Google Analytics, Social Oomph, Cyfe.com and Hootsuite offer a number of ways to tailor a dashboard to look at exactly the parameters you want to address.

Tip #4: Get Help When You Need It.

Let’s face it — having and implementing an online marketing plan for your business is a full-time job, one that you might not have time for. Instead of wasting so much time and effort trying to do everything, a little bit of strategic diversification of labor might be in order. There are various online tools that you can use to keep things under a watchful eye, and there is really no reason why you shouldn’t ask for help if you need it.

What about you? What are some organizing tips that you would like to share with our readers?

Why are so many women getting into construction-related fields? I’ve noticed this trend growing lately, from my personal experiences. I am a remodeling contractor in Cincinnati, Ohio, so I come across a lot of investors that are flipping houses and, in the past few years, I’ve noticed a significant increase in the number of women who are real estate investors and that actually do some of the work themselves.

In 2014 I met many successful female real estate investors through Cincinnati’s Real Estate Investors Association (REIA). I soon realized that there are about an equal number of women and men investing in Cincinnati houses, and very often the women are more successful than the men.

At Cincinnati’s REIA, I met a 26-year-old woman who now owns 11 houses and does a lot of the work herself.
I met another who buys and remodels houses, having someone else do the physical labor. Also, it turns out that the president of this REIA club, named Vena Cox-Jones, is a woman and probably the most successful investor in the city. On top of all that, I also renovated a house in Cincinnati for the owner of this website, Christiane Marshall. I’ve met more women this year who even do the physical labor part of remodeling. I met three women who are painters; I’ve worked with them and none of them had any problems carrying or climbing the ladders we used. I met a woman who owns her own roofing company and did most of the work herself.

I’ve always found it to be fantastically innovative and interesting to see women in the construction fields, typically a “man’s world.” I also expect that women will face the same challenges they have faced getting into other job markets. While taking drafting and design courses at ITT Tech, I met several female students in the same program as mine, so I asked them why they wanted to be in construction. “I want to design houses, learn energy-efficient designs. I don’t want to pay any utility bills ever, just live off the land,” said April Meeks, ITT Tech student. Another ITT Tech student, Jazmine Williams, said, “I come from an artsy family. My dad’s a designer and my mom’s a freelance artist. I think it’s gratifying to see your final product when it’s finished. I’ve always wanted to design a museum.”

Considering April’s and Jazmine’s responses, I think it’s safe to say that drafting and design is a good fit for their personalities. Their responses were different in nature, just as everybody has their own unique reason for anything they do. I think it’s because of women like Jane Addams and Susan B. Anthony, who were pioneers and fought for women’s rights, that all these women are able to get into this field. Not so long ago, women weren’t allowed to work in the construction industry. I consider all of these women to be strong-minded pioneers. Good job, ladies!

I recently saw an article on Facebook about WEN hair products. The article was written by a disgruntled client whom was making the claim that she had purchased WEN shampoo, and after using it she had developed a bald spot, similar to the one in this photo.

At first glance, I recognized immediately what it was… Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disorder.

Alopecia disorder causes the follicles to be mistakenly attacked by a person’s own immune system. This disorder starts with one or more small, round, smooth bald patches on the scalp which can result in total hair loss. This occurs in males and females of all ages, of any ethic background.

So this is an internal disorder, not an external disorder. Which means that you cannot get this by using a topical product… shampoo cannot cause this!

So if you ever get Alopecia areata you need a doctor, not a lawyer! In most cases the hair will return in approximately six months, and treatment options are available.

Education is vital — and I hope that the client in this lawsuit realizes this and is able to get the medical treatment she really needs.